How do I get out of this situation? How do I escape this psychopath? Talking seems pointless.
My mind raced as I scanned the room, searching for any potential exit. Every second felt like an eternity as Callum stood there, his gaze cold and unyielding. I could feel my pulse quickening, the fear tightening around my chest like a vice. I needed to act quickly, but my legs felt frozen in place. My instincts screamed at me to run, to get as far away from him as possible, but my body wouldn't cooperate.
I glanced at the door, then at the window—both seemed impossibly far, and with him blocking the only way out, I knew I wouldn't stand a chance if I didn't think this through. The air felt thick with tension, his presence suffocating, and I could feel his eyes boring into me, like he was already three steps ahead of my every move.
He wasn't just unpredictable; he was methodical, calculating. Every word, every action was carefully planned to keep me on edge, to keep me trapped in this sick game of his. And the worst part? He enjoyed it. I could see it in the way his lips curled ever so slightly into a smirk, in the way he seemed to revel in my helplessness.
I can't stay here any longer, I thought, panic rising in my throat. I couldn't let him win. There had to be a way out, some weakness I could exploit. But what? Pleading wouldn't work—he'd made that clear. He had a mission, something that drove him beyond reason, and I was standing in the way of it.
Stay calm, I told myself. Stay focused.
I took a slow, deliberate breath, trying to buy myself time. If I could just keep him talking, maybe I could distract him long enough to make my move. But what would I even say? There was nothing I could offer him, no reasoning that could reach someone so far gone.
"Callum, what do you really want from me?" I finally asked, my voice steady despite the panic rising within.
It felt like a desperate gamble, and the silence that followed made my heart race even faster.
"I wanted to protect you. I don't know why I feel this way, but I won't anymore. You wasted your last chance. Now let me fulfill my mission," he replied.
"Your mission?"
"Like I said, you'll understand soon," he said.
"Please, whatever it is, just stop. I am not the Lilien everyone knows. I don't remember anything, so please…"
"Ah, this is annoying," he said, snapping his fingers.
My head hurt. I stumbled back and sat on the bed, holding my head, trying hard to stay conscious.
I remember everything.
"What's your game, Callum?" I asked, standing up. Anger couldn't describe what I felt. "What do you want?"
"Oh, your feisty side is back," he said.
"Stop messing with my memories, stop this already!" I shouted.
"Stop?" he asked, laughing. "I have a mission to carry out, and it's been on hold for too long, so why don't you stop wasting my time?"
"Wow," I exclaimed, stepping forward. "You should have let me die when I jumped!" I didn't give him the opportunity to respond before kicking him in the knee. I pushed him and ran out as fast as my lazy body could carry me.
I could hear his footsteps behind me, growing louder with each passing second, closing the distance between us. Panic surged through me as I pushed my legs to move faster, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The darkness of the corridor seemed endless, every shadow a reminder of how close he was. I ran quickly, heart pounding in my chest, silently praying to the unseen, to anything that would listen, that I could escape. Please, let me get away.
Every instinct screamed for survival, but the sound of his approach felt relentless, as though no matter how fast I ran, it wouldn't be enough.
I can't go through that again. What was supposed to be helpful became a means of torturing myself.
I hit a wall and almost fell back, but strong arms caught me. I looked up in horror but was beyond relieved to see the person I had wanted to see all this time.
"Kael," I called softly, hugging him. I looked back, and as expected, Callum had disappeared.
"Lilien," Kael said, and I turned to look at him. "Are you okay?" That was the last question I wanted to hear.
I'm not okay.
"I'm sorry," I said, breaking down.
"Lilien," he called, raising my head to look at him, but I couldn't. I didn't want to meet his eyes. "Do you…"
"I'm sorry," I repeated, burying my face in his chest.
He didn't say another word. He gently patted my head to calm me down, but the affection just made me feel worse.
"I'll put you back to bed," he said, and I nodded.
I don't want to sleep. I'm scared.
He followed me back to my room and put me to bed. I didn't want to sleep, and I didn't want him to leave.
"Do you… Do you need me to call Lucy?"
"Kael," I called as he turned to leave. "Don't go." His eyes widened, but he didn't protest.
"What happened?" he asked, sitting on the bed.
"I…" I didn't want to get into the details about Callum right now. "I'll tell you everything tomorrow," I said, sitting up. "So… don't leave," I mumbled, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I won't."
I missed him so much, even though he was right here. I wish I hadn't asked Keara about the protection spell. Is this my punishment?
I don't want to forget ever again. I don't want to hurt the people I love again. I can't take it. I can't take watching myself do that.
"Don't leave either," Kael mumbled. I couldn't respond; I don't control my own memories.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Callum. What mission was he talking about? What does he want? And what does it have to do with Kael?
There were so many unanswered questions, but I wasn't ready to find the answers. Not now, at least.